נָפַח
na.phach (H5301)
to breathe
AI Word Study
# Nāphaḥ (H5301): Breathing and Its Extensions The Hebrew verb nāphaḥ carries the fundamental meaning "to breathe," encompassing both the physical act of respiration and metaphorical applications of breath-related action. With twelve occurrences in the biblical text, this relatively uncommon word appears frequently enough to establish clear patterns of usage while remaining specialized in its application. The verb extends beyond simple respiration to describe active processes involving breath as a force or agent. In biblical contexts, breathing can represent divine action—God's breath as a creative or destructive power—or human actions that involve forceful expulsion of air, such as blowing or snorting. The twelve instances suggest the word was reserved for situations where the breath itself carries significance, rather than serving as a generic term for ordinary respiration. This semantic range reflects how ancient Hebrew distinguished between different types of breathing and breath-related actions, with nāphaḥ specifically marking instances where breath functions as an active, purposeful force. The word's modest frequency indicates it filled a particular lexical niche—neither common enough for everyday use nor so rare as to be archaic—positioning it as a precisely targeted term in biblical Hebrew's vocabulary.
AI synthesis uses only provided lexicon data -- never training knowledge.
Yahweh God formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
All darkness is laid up for his treasures. An unfanned fire will devour him. It will consume that which is left in his tent.
if I have eaten its fruits without money, or have caused its owners to lose their life,
Out of his nostrils a smoke goes, as of a boiling pot over a fire of reeds.
“Behold, I have created the blacksmith who fans the coals into flame, and forges a weapon for his work; and I have created the destroyer to destroy.
Yahweh’s word came to me the second time, saying, “What do you see?” I said, “I see a boiling cauldron; and it is tipping away from the north.”
She who has borne seven languishes. She has given up the spirit. Her sun has gone down while it was yet day. She has been disappointed and confounded. I will deliver their residue to the sword before their enemies,” says Yahweh.
As they gather silver, bronze, iron, lead, and tin into the middle of the furnace, to blow the fire on it, to melt it; so I will gather you in my anger and in my wrath, and I will lay you there, and melt you.
Yes, I will gather you, and blow on you with the fire of my wrath, and you will be melted in the middle of it.
Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the wind, prophesy, son of man, and tell the wind, ‘The Lord Yahweh says: “Come from the four winds, breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.” ’ ”
“You looked for much, and, behold, it came to little; and when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why?” says Yahweh of Armies, “Because of my house that lies waste, while each of you is busy with his own house.
You say also, ‘Behold, what a weariness it is!’ and you have sniffed at it”, says Yahweh of Armies; “and you have brought that which was taken by violence, the lame, and the sick; thus you bring the offering. Should I accept this at your hand?” says Yahweh.